By Margherita Cole on August 13, 2022

Assumed portrait of Vivaldi by an unknown artist, 1723 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

We’ve composed nine lesser-known facts about Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi.

At the same time that Baroque artists were creating elaborate paintings and sculptures, other creatives from this period sought to inspire awe through their music. One of the most renowned Baroque composers from this era was Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741).

Originally from Venice, the Italian musician was renowned for his mastery of the violin, which led to numerous recognizable compositions; the most famous was his iconic series of violin concertos called “The Four Seasons.” And while Vivaldi was well known during his lifetime—creating music for princes and kings—he was nearly forgotten after his death until his work was rediscovered during the 2oth century.

Scroll down to learn nine facts about the classical composer Vivaldi.

Learn nine lesser-known facts about Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi.

HE WAS FROM A MUSICAL FAMILY.

Vivaldi was taught how to play the violin by his father Giovanni Battista, who was a founding member of the Sovvegno dei musicisti di Santa Cecilia. They even toured Venice together, playing violin duets.

HE SUFFERED FROM A LIFELONG ILLNESS.

Throughout Vivaldi’s life, he dealt with an unknown medical condition; he described one of his symptoms as a tightness of the chest. Modern historians have interpreted this description as a form of asthma. However, while his illness did discourage him from playing wind instruments, it did not interfere with his passion for the violin or composing.

Church of San Giovanni in Bragora in Venice (Photo: Didier Descouens via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

HE WAS AN ORDAINED PRIEST.

Vivaldi was ordained as a priest in 1703 when he was 25 years old. Only one year later, his fragile health prevented him from administering Mass. As a result, he found more time to work on his compositions and practice the violin.

HE TAUGHT VIOLIN AT AN ORPHANAGE.

The same year Vivaldi was ordained as a priest, he became Master of Violin at an orphanage in Venice called the Ospedale della Pietà, an establishment that housed abandoned children as well as taught them music and a trade. He worked here for about 30 years while he created his most famous compositions. His abilities as an instructor increased the prestige of the orphanage’s orchestra and choir.[…]

François Morellon de La Cave, Engraving of Antonio Vivaldi, 1725 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

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